Improvement in the manufacture of imitation hair-cloth



UNITED 'rn'rns PATENT OFFICE.

J OSEPH J GOMSTOOK AND JAMES ABORN, OF PROVIDENCE, R. I.

IMPROVEMENT [N THE MANUFACTURE OF lMlTATION HAIR-CLOTH.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 103,018, dated May 17, 1870.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, J osEPn J. OoMsTooK and J AMES ABORN, both of the city and county of Providence, in the State of Rhode Island,

' the woody fiber of the stalk of the wild-plantain tree, chiefly indigenous to the Spice and Philippine Islands, and known in commerce under the name of Manilahemp, can be usefully employed'as a substitute for animal hair for the weft of fabrics to be used as coverin gs for furniture, and other uses for which the so-called hair-cloth is suitable.

Thewoodyfiber above designated, and which in this specification is tobe distinguished from genuine hemp, which can be manufactured into paper, and spun into yarn, should be cut into lengths, say, of thirtysix inches, and treated by immersion in some liquid which will render it soft and pliable. We have found a strong solution of castile-soap in hot water to answer the purpose well.

The length of time which it should remain in the softening liquid will vary in different, cases; but the rule should be to allow it to be immersed until it has become thoroughly soft and pliable. It is then to be woven by single fibers in a loom furnished with a cotton or linen warp, the loom being of the same construction as that used for weaving hair-cloth. The fabric, when taken from the loom, should next have its superfluous fibers singed off or sheared, and it should afterward be dyed and calendered by processes Well known to manufacturers of cloth.

The fabric, when completed, though produced at much less cost, is, for every useful and ornamental purpose, equal to hair-cloth It is quite as durable as hair-cloth, and, because it is more pliable, wears more evenly, and'is better suited for a covering for furniture.

What we claim'as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The new manufacture which results from the use of the fiber of the stem of the wildplantain tree, as a substitute for animal hair, in the manufacture of fabrics for purposes for which hair-cloth is suitable, substantially as herein specified.

JOSEPH J. ooMsTooK. JAMES ABORN.

Witnesses:

()RVILLE PEGKHAM, Enw. D. BROWN. 

